Wednesday, August 31, 2011

THOMASTON’S POLICE CHIEF DAN GREATHOUSE SAID THE SEARCH CONTINUED WEDNESDAY AT LAKE THOMASTON FOR A 32 YEAR OLD BLACK MALE WHO COULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING A SMALL SUV THAT WAS FISHED OUT OF THE LAKE,TUESDAY EVENING. THE SPALDING COUNTY DIVE TEAM CONDUCTED A GRID SEARCH, THE GA. DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES DEPLOYED ITS SONAR EQUIPMENT, AND CADAVER DOGS WERE DISPATCHED. THE RESERVOIR HAS BEEN TAKEN OFF LINE AND THE HANNAH’S MILL RESERVOIR IS BEING USED, ACCORDING TO THE CHIEF.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

LATE TUESDAY , UPSON RESCUE AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS WERE SEARCHING FOR THE BODY OF A 32 YEAR OLD BLACK MALE WHO COULD HAVE DRIVEN A SMALL SUV IN LAKE THOMASTON. POLICE CHIEF DAN GREATHOUSE TOLD TGA NEWS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED FROM THE LAKE, THERE WAS NO BODY INSIDE. THE SPALDING COUNTY DIVE TEAM AND A DOZEN OTHER AGENCIES RESPONDED AROUND 1PM AND THE CAR WAS PULLED FROM THE LAKE AROUND 6;30PM. THE MAN’S FAMILY LIVES ON AVE. D. AND THEY MISSED THEIR MURANO SUV WHEN THEY STARTED THEIR DAY.

THE DRIVER APPARENTLY APPROACHED THE LAKE FROM SECOND STREET, CRASHED THROUGH THE SECURITY FENCE, WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND INTO THE LAKE. WATER DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL NOTICED SOME ITEMS IN THE WATER NEAR THE INTAKE BRIDGE AND CALLED FOR HELP. WATER IS 35 FEET DEEP IN THAT SPOT. THERE WAS ONE REPORT THE MAN HAD RECENTLY BEEN DISCHARGED FROM A PSYCHIATRIC FACILITY. HUNDREDS LINED THE FENCE TO WITNESS THE UNDERTAKING.

Monday, August 29, 2011

QUALIFYING OPENED MONDAY FOR THE CITY OF THOMASTON NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION AND SAM COKER SR. AND JAMES RICHARDS QUALIFIED FOR THE COUNCIL SEAT HELD BY THE LATE ED BELL. MAYOR HAYS ARNOLD AND PATSY PERDUE ALSO QUALIFIED. -

FAIRBURN POLICE WITH ASSISTANCE FROM THE UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT ARRESTED A THOMASTON MAN MONDAY FOR THE MURDER OF HIS WIFE IN FULTON COUNTY,JULY 30. JOE MATTEI,65 OF THOMASTON WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY ON THE SIDEWALK OUTSIDE THE POOL ROOM CAFE ON SOUTH CENTER STREET AND CHARGED WITH THE SHOOTING DEATH OF ANGELA WILLIAMS, 56 OF MANCHESTER.

THE AJC SAID MS. WILLIAMS, ORIGINALLY FROM MOLENA, WAS SHOT SEVERAL TIMES IN AN INDUSTRIAL AREA AND MANAGED TO DRIVE ABOUT A MILE BEFORE SHE COLLAPSED AT A GAS STATION. SHE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT ATLANTA MEDICAL CENTER.

ACCORDING TO THE UPSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, ALMOST $85,000 IN CASH AND JEWELRY IS MISSING FROM A JEWELRY BOX AT 998 DELRAY ROAD. AMONG THE MOST EXPENSIVE ITEMS, A DIAMOND BRACELET VALUED AT $40,000 AND A GOLD RING VALUED AT $10,000. $1500 IN CASH IN AN ENVELOPE IS ALSO GONE.UPSON S.O. SAID THERE WAS NO SIGN OF FORCED ENTRY.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

PIKE COUNTY SHERIFF JIMMY THOMAS SAYS S.O. NARCOTICS AGENTS APPARENTLY FOUND THE SOURCE OF COUNTERFEIT MONEY CIRCULATING FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS. A SEARCH WARRANT WAS SERVED AT 61 BEEKS CIRCLE AND NATHAN MULL, 33, WAS ARRESTED FOR FORGERY AND POSSESSION MARIJUANA. THE SHERIFF SAID MULL WAS CAUGHT IN THE ACT OF TAKING LOW DENOMINATION BILLS AND BY USING A CHEMICAL PROCESS AND COMPUTER PRINTING PROGRAMS WAS TURNING THE BILLS INTO HIGHER VALUED MONEY. MULL IS ON PROBATION FOR FORGERY AND DRUGS. ANOTHER MAN AT THE RESIDENCE MARCUS MCMAHON WAS ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION METH.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

AT THE AUGUST MEETING, MONDAY, THE THOMASTON-UPSON INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY VOTED TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED 2012 BUDGET. ITS THE SAME AS THIS YEAR, $185,500, BUT CHAIRMAN RAINES TOLD TGA NEWS HE WILL RESERVE HIS VOTE UNTIL THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS GET THE BUDGET FOR REVIEW.

IDA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR J.R. CHARLES SAID A COUPLE OF PROSPECTS HAVE ASKED ABOUT THE FORMER THOMASTON MILLS PROPERTY ON BARNESVILLE STREET. THE 34 ACRE TRACT NEEDS TO BE CLEANED-UP, HE SAID.

CHARLES SAID LANCASTER ENERGY, A GREEN ENERGY COMPANY, IS ENCOURAGED ABOUT GETTING FINANCING AND COULD EMPLOY 17.

STEVE DANIEL THE NEW PROVOST AT THE FLINT RIVER CAMPUS OF SOUTHERN CRESCENT TECHNICAL COLLEGE , PLEDGED TO HELP THE BOARD WITH KIA MOTORS.HE HAS WORKED WITH THE COMPANY FOR OVER FOUR YEARS RUNNING THE STATE’S QUICK START PROGRAM. DANIEL SAID UPSON COUNTY HAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO LAND A KIA SUPPLIER AND HE WILL HELP WITH HIS CONTACTS.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF FRANCE IN ATLANTA HAS SCHEDULED A CEREMONY TO BESTOW UPON JOSEPH J. HAMMONDS OF WINDSWEEP FARM ROAD IN UPSON COUNTY THE AWARD OF THE LEGION OF HONOR. THIS IS THE HIGHEST DECORATION BESTOWED BY THE REPUBLIC OF FRANCE AND WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC THROUGH THE AMBASSADOR OF FRANCE TO THE UNITED STATES. THIS AWARD WILL TAKE PLACE AT AMERICAN LEGION POST 160 IN SMYRNA,GA ON WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 7 AT 2PM. THE NATIONAL ORDER OF THE LEGION OF HONOR WAS ESTABLISHED BY NAPOLEON BONAPARTE IN 1802.

THE CITY OF THOMASTON’S ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER, BOBBY ELLINGTON SAYS TWO PIT BULLS HAVE BEEN BANNED FROM THE CITY FOR GOOD, AFTER THEY ATTACKED BUSINESSMAN STEVE SHORT, SATURDAY. SHORT WAS JOGGING ON NORTH CHURCH WHEN THEY ATTACKED HIM, MAKING MULTIPLE PUNCTURE WOUNDS ON HIS LEGS. HE WAS TREATED AT THE E.R. AND IS TAKING RABIES SHOTS.

THE DOGS OWNER, TERRANCE WRIGHT OF 201 4TH AVE. WAS CHARGED WITH ALLOWING DOGS TO RUN LOOSE AND NO PROOF OF RABIES SHOTS. THE DOGS ARE UNDER 10 DAY QUARANTINE AT THE ANIMAL SHELTER. WRIGHT HAS OUTSTANDING WARRANTS IN FLORIDA, OFFICER ELLINGTON SAID.

Friday, August 19, 2011

ACCORDING TO CHET WARD, PROJECT MANAGER FOR SOUTHWEST WATER COMPANY, ON THURSDAY AUGUST 18 FROM 1800 TO 2300, A SANITARY SEWER OVERFLOW OCCURRED UNDER A CREEK CULVERT ALONG WEST GORDON ST. WHERE TOWN BRANCH CROSSES. APPROXIMATELY 6000 GALLONS OF WASTE WATER,CLASSIFIED AS A MAJOR SPILL, ESCAPED FROM A SEWER LINE. THE OVERFLOW FLOWED INTO TOWN BRANCH.

SOUTHWEST WATER RESPONDED IMMEDIATELY AND HAS NOTIFIED THE GEORGIA ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY. WATER SAMPLES ARE BEING TAKEN AND ANALYZED AS REQUIRED BY THE STATE.

THE SPILL WAS CONTAINED AND ALL DEBRIS HAS BEEN CLEANED UP.WARNING SIGNS HAVE BEEN POSTED AT THE SITE OF THE SPILL AND WILL REMAIN THERE FOR SEVEN DAYS. THE CLOGGED SEWER LINE HAS BEEN JETTED AND CLEANED TO PREVENT ANOTHER OVERFLOW.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

JIM DAVIS, CHIEF APPRAISER OF UPSON COUNTY TOLD THE THOMASTON MAYOR AND COUNCIL, TUESDAY, THE 2011 TAX DIGEST IS DOWN $10 MILLION AND IT WILL BE DOWN AGAIN IN 2012. MR. DAVIS SAID HIS OFFICE IS REVIEWING ALL PROPERTY FOR 2012 TO ENSURE IT REFLECTS WHAT PROPERTY IS SELLING FOR. HE SAID THE LEGISLATIVE CHANGES IN PROPERTY TAX LAW SINCE 2009 IS THE MOST DRASTIC HE HAS SEEN DURING HIS CAREER.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

THE COMMANDER OF TROOP D, GA. STATE PATROL, CAPTAIN EDDIE GRIER OF THOMASTON HAS BEEN PROMOTED TO MAJOR AND WILL HOLD THE #3 POST IN THE GSP. HE WILL WORK OUT OF HEADQUARTERS IN ATLANTA AND WILL BE COMMANDING OFFICER OF THE GSP. LT. NICKI RENFROE HAS BEEN PROMOTED TO CAPTAIN AND IS THE NEW COMMANDER OF TROOP D, THE FIRST FEMALE TO HOLD THE POST.

Monday, August 15, 2011

A MURDER-SUICIDE INVOLVING AN ESTRANGED COUPLE IN UPSON COUNTY MONDAY AFTERNOON. MAJOR DAN KILGORE OF THE UPSON S.O. IDENTIFIED THE TWO AS SANDRA GAIL CARTER, 47 AND DAVID CARTER, 55. MS. CARTER’S BODY WAS FOUND BY HER DAUGHTER AT HER RESIDENCE 102 WEST COUNTY ROAD. CARTER’S BODY WAS FOUND IN THE YARD AT HIS RESIDENCE ON ODOM ROAD. MAJOR KILGORE SAID CARTER APPARENTLY SHOT HIS WIFE AND THEN RETURNED TO HIS RESIDENCE AND SHOT HIMSELF WITH A HANDGUN. THEY HAD BEEN SEPERATED ABOUT A YEAR.

THE UPSON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SET THE 2011 TAX MILLAGE RATE AT 12.72 MILLS THE SAME AS LAST YEAR, AT A CALLED MEETING MONDAY. CHAIRMAN MAURICE RAINES HAD SUGGESTED THE BOARD WOULD ROLL BACK PROPERTY TAXES UP TO 19% BUT A HENRY COUNTY CASE THAT WENT TO THE GA. SUPREME COURT WILL NOT ALLOW IT. ALL PROJECTS FROM THE 2005 SPLOST MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE ANY ROLLBACK, AND UPSON COUNTY HAS NOT COMPLETED THE SPORTS COMPLEX AND COMMUNITY PARKS. CHAIRMAN RAINES SAID THE ROLLBACK WILL COME IN 2012. COMMISSIONER FRANK SPRAGGINS VOTED AGAINEST THE MILLAGE RATE , HE SAID IT SHOULD BE LOWER.

THE GEORGIA GENERAL ASSEMBLY OPENS A SPECIAL SESSION TODAY ON REDISTRICTING AND REPUBLICANS HAVE ELIMINATED THE DISTRICT OF UPSON’S STATE SENATOR, DEMOCRAT GEORGE HOOKS, THE LONGEST SERVING SENATOR IN THE CHAMBER. AS THE MAP STANDS NOW HE WOULD BE FORCED TO RUN AGAINEST FELLOW DEMOCRAT FREDDIE POWELL SIMS OF DAWSON. SENATOR HOOKS SAID HE IS UNSURE IF HE WILL RETIRE OR RUN AGAIN, BUT HE’S FRIENDS WITH SENATOR SIMS AND HE SAYS HE IS SURE THEY CAN WORK SOMETHING OUT.

Friday, August 12, 2011

NORTHSIDE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO A STRUCTURE FIRE AT 109 CHURCH ROAD AND GOT IT OUT. UPSON S.O. SAID WHEN UNITS ARRIVED THE HOUSE WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE FIRE APPARENTLY STARTED IN A BACK BEDROOM FROM AN ELECTRICAL SOCKET. THE OCCUPANT,CHRISTOPHER LEE PEPPER, OWNER, JANE HORTMAN.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, THE THOMASTON-UPSON BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVED THE FY2012 OPERATING BUDGET FOR ADVERTISEMENT AND IT INCLUDES TWO CALENDAR FURLOUGH DAYS FOR ALL SCHOOL AND SYSTEM EMPLOYEES WHO WORK 190 DAYS OR MORE. NOVEMBER 21 AND 22 WILL BE CALENDAR REDUCTION DAYS. THEY WERE REGULAR INSTRUCTIONAL DAYS ON THE ORIGINAL CALENDAR.

IN OTHER ACTION, THE BOARD APPROVED A RECOMMENDATION BY SUPERINTENDANT DR. MAGGIE SHOOK TO APPOINT TAMMY PHAGAN AND ENRIQUE RALLS AS ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS AT UPSON-LEE HIGH SCHOOL.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

AT TUESDAY’S REGULAR MEETING, UPSON COUNTY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN MAURICE RAINES SAID PROPERTY OWNERS CAN EXPECT A TAX ROLLBACK OF UP TO 19% IN 2011. THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL MEET MONDAY TO SET THE TAX MILLAGE RATE. THE BOARD WILL USE ACCESS FUNDS FROM THE 2005 SPLOST TO FUND THE TAX REDUCTION, BUT THE CHAIRMAN WARNED THOSE FUNDS WILL NOT BE AROUND IN 2012 SO EXPECT A TAX INCREASE.

CHAIRMAN RAINES HAD TO BREAK A TIE VOTE TO DENY A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A NEW CELL TOWER ON THE PROPERTY OF JAMES ANDERSON ON LINDSEY ROAD. SEVERAL NEIGHBORS OBJECTED TO IT. COMMISSIONER RUSTY BLACKSTON SAID HE HAS ONE ON HIS PROPERTY ONLY ABOUT THREE MILES AWAY SO ITS NOT NECESSARY—BUT HE ABSTAINED FROM VOTING ON THE ISSUE BECAUSE OF IT.

THOMASTON’S POLICE CHIEF DAN GREATHOUSE WAS RECOGNIZED FOR HIS OUTSTANDING DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT BY THE REGIONAL ORGANIZED CRIME INFORMATION CENTER AT THEIR ANNUAL SUMMER TRAINING CONFERENCE IN LOUISVILLE,KY.

CHIEF GREATHOUSE IS A 37 YEAR LAW ENFORCEMENT VETERAN AND A GRADUATE OF THE FBI NATIONAL ACADEMY. GREATHOUSE WAS ELECTED TO THE ROCIC BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN 1996. HE SERVED TWO TERMS AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FROM JULY 2010 TO JULY 2011 AND FROM JUNE 2000 TO JUNE 2001. CHIEF GREATHOUSE ALSO SERVED TWO TERMS AS BOARD VICE CHAIRMAN AND BOARD SECRETARY.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

AT A CALLED MEETING,THURSDAY, THE THOMASTON-UPSON BOARD OF EDUCATION FOLLOWED THE RECOMMENDATION OF SUPERINTENDANT DR. MAGGIE SHOOK AND SET THE 2011 TAX MILLAGE RATE AT 14.3 MILLS, SAME AS LAST YEAR. BASED ON PRELIMINARY BUDGET FIGURES, THE BOARD WOULD NEED TO BALANCE THE BUDGET WITH $2 MILLION FROM THE FUND BALANCE OF OVER $6.3 MILLION.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

AT TUESDAY’S REGULAR MEETING, THE THOMASTON CITY COUNCIL SET THE DATE FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL THE UNEXPIRED TERM OF THE LATE ED BELL. IT WILL BE HELD NOV. 8, THE DATE OF THE GENERAL ELECTION FOR THE CITY OF THOMASTON. THE MAYOR’S POST AND COUNCIL SEATS HELD BY PATSY PERDUE AND GARY ATWATER WILL BE ON THE BALLOT.

Monday, August 1, 2011

UPSON S.O. AND THURSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT DISPATCHED TO THE RIVER SATURDAY AFTER A REPORT FOUR PERSONS WERE MISSING. THEY WERE FOUND NORTH OF TABLE ROCK. ONE OF THE BOATERS,WESLEY HUNT OF MCCORKLE’S CURVE ROAD WAS TREATED FOR DEHYDRATION AND EXHAUSTION BY UPSON EMS. THE OTHER THREE—DONALD HUNT OF WOODBURY, DYLAN NELSON OF EASTSIDE DR. AND JASON RUFFIN OF E. ST. THURSTON UNITS USED FOUR-WHEELERS TO RESCUE THEM.

UPSON S.O. SAID A STORM IN YATESVILLE SUNDAY STARTED A HOUSE FIRE. AARON RONALD KENNEY OF 110 EMPIRE ST. SAID LIGHTNING HIT HIS HOUSE. HE PULLED THE DRYER AWAY FROM THE WALL AND SAW FLAMES SHOOTING THROUGH THE FLOOR. YATESVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED AND PUT IT OUT BUT THERE WAS SMOKE AND WATER DAMAGE.